Confused by the EPA’s proposed letter-grade system for fuel economy labels [proposed rule in PDF format here]? Check out the letter grades given to the top-selling cars in America [via Automotive News [sub]].

I’m not familiar with all the details on the mileage ratings, but I think the labels should prominently show gallons per mile, CAFE standards should be the same for cars and trucks/SUVs, and if they use an A/B/C/D/F system, it should be a moving target.

So a four cylinder RAV4 is just as good as a four cylinder sedan.
That’s going to be the problem with this rating style: different scales for different categories of vehicles.
Maybe instead of smiley-frowny faces, they can use the terror threat level colors, so we finally learn that scale.
Just give me numbers. Please.

I get it…it’s the Consumer Reports rating strategy. Only instead of adjusting the break points between categories to do maximum damage to US manufacturers, Uncle Sam can select the dividing lines between letter grades to favor its own. Brilliant, I say!

I find this grading system by the Federal Nanny Nags to be excessive as well.

However, there are some really clueless folks out there. They buy a 4,000 lb vehicle with a 250 hp V6 and automatic transmission – then complain in various consumer reviews about getting less than 20 mpg in town.

Another problem I have with even the old rating system is not all commutes are the same. The daily drive to work is a lot in Sydney, NE than it is Houston, TX.

It was my understanding that the EPA does not validate manufacturer claims on mileage… just that the mfg had to adhere to EPA approved testing procedures.
If this is the case, having the EPA assign letter grades is akin to having a class of 5th graders self grade tests. The teacher just makes sure that they’re all using the right answer key.